How to Capture and Share Event Photos: Best Practices Guide
Welcome to our guide on capturing and sharing event photos. This resource is designed to help you take and select the best photos from events, even if you’re not a professional photographer. These tips apply not only to social media but also to other digital communications and the Alumni Review magazine.
Before the Event
Outsourcing: For large events such as Rebel Road Trip, commencement champagne toast, club meetings, happy hours, chapter events with over 75 people, consider hiring a professional photographer. Our preferred photographer for local events and Rebel Road Trip is Bill Dabney. When not using our preferred photographer, be sure to communicate with the photographer in advance what type of photos to take (posed shots, coaches, variety). Also, ensure that OMMA retains ful rights for all photos taken by contracted photographers.
Club Meetings, Happy Hours, Other Events: When OMAA staff is not present, ask the club member taking the photos to send them to the club coordinator for us to potentially post to OMAA’s social media accounts as well as our online photo site (SmugMug). The club coordinator can text/email the photos to Annie.
Plan Ahead: Identify key moments/photo opportunities to capture. Take the time to walk around and ask people if you can take their photo to post to our social media accounts. Consider the event agenda and pinpoint times that might offer great photo opportunities. For example, before the event starts when the most people are present; pictures of coach Kiffin with fans and trophies; etc.
Additional Preparation: Before the event, if possible, consider the lighting and layout to create the best background/setting for photos. Ensure your smartphone is fully charged and you have enough storage space available. Make sure your camera lens is clean and free of fingerprints/smudges.
During the Event
Lighting: Natural light is best. If indoors, try to keep your subjects facing windows or other light sources. Avoid using a flash unless necessary.
Composition: Keep in mind that the photos posted to social will likely be cropped to a 4:4 (square), 4:5 (Instagram portrait) or 4:3 ratio. Keep the horizon level and avoid cutting off heads or feet.
Variety: Capture a mix of wide shots, medium shots, and close-ups. As much as possible, show diversity among the attendees. Include a handful of candid moments from key speakers such as head coaches. Primarily focus on posed shots with the event signage/stage setup in the background when possible/applicable. For reference, look at our recent Rebel Road Trip, commencement champagne toast and summer picnic photo galleries on SmugMug or the OMAA’s Instagram account. Colorful backgrounds photograph well for indoor venues with low lighting. Avoid things like trash cans, tables with cups and food lying around, etc. when possible. Avoid crowd shots and the backs of heads. Photos with Colonel Reb anywhere in the image will not be posted.
After the Event
Photo Selection: For small events, choose the best 10-20 photos that truly represent the event. Focus on quality over quantity. For large events, send all photos. When in doubt send all photos taken, and the best ones will be chosen.
Editing: Send the original photo file (max size) without edits.
Sharing Guidelines
Upload: Text Annie your selected photos or provide them via email with the link to the photographer’s gallery (when applicable). For large event photo galleries taken by a professional photographer, email the link to Jim and Annie to upload to OMAA’s SmugMug photo gallery.
Details: Include event details such as date, location, names of key participants and the photographer (if outsourced) when you send the photos.
Timeliness: Send photos within 24 hours post-event to ensure timely social media posts. For Sports Travel Happy Hours/Pregame Events/Rebel Road Trip timeliness is key. Sending the photos to be posted immediately after/during the event is best.
Thank you for contributing to our social media and digital communications efforts. Your photos help us share our story and engage with our community. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep snapping away!
Helpful Links
OMAA Instagram: instagram.com/olemissalumniassociation
OMAA SmugMug: olemiss.smugmug.com
Preferred Photographer
Bill Dabney Photography
Email: dabneyphotography@gmail.com
Website: dabneyphotography.com
Instagram: instagram.com/billdabneyphotography
Great Photos:
NOT Great Photos:
